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NHS England announces country-wide roll-out of specialist stroke units

NHS England has announced the roll-out of expert stroke units across England to ensure that thousands of more individuals experiencing a stroke ‘survive and thrive’, as a part of the NHS Long Term Plan.

Professor Stephen Powis, the National Medical Director for NHS England stated the success of the stroke networks in London (established in 2010) and Manchester (established in 2010) in saving several hundreds of more lives ever since their inception. A new study showed that the Hyper Acute Stroke Units in London and Manchester were able to save 170 additional lives each year.

These specialist stroke units bring experts and equipment under one roof to deliver the best round-the-clock treatment and care, thereby reducing mortality and long-term disability associated with stroke. These units provide patients with faster access to brain scans, thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy. Patients treated at these centres are also likely to spend less time in the hospital.

Professor Powis, who heads the NHS National Stroke Programme as well as the Stroke Association said: "Introducing quicker access to better treatment for stroke in London and here in Manchester has saved hundreds of lives and we now want to see them rolled out across the whole of the country."


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